A NEW visitors' centre in Chinatown which runs walking tours and heritage
classes is fast-becoming a hit among visitors here.
The Chinatown Visitor Centre (CVC), which only opened on Jan 20, has already
attracted more than 10,000 visitors to its premises.
The Chinatown Business Association (CBA) which runs the place said it
expects to serve over 20,000 visitors in the first month of operations. So far,
it is already halfway there.
Located behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, it is Chinatown's
first visitors' centre.
Other than being an information resource base, there will also be daily
themed walking tours available.
From Chinese myths and taboos to dialect clans and heritage brands, the
tours - organised in partnership with travel agent Tour East - are designed to
give visitors a taste of the real
Chinatown complete with experiential
elements, such as live demonstrations, food tasting and opportunities to
interact with the locals.
Other tours like the Chinese Custom Walking Tour involves visits to medical
halls and shops selling ceremonial items; while the Food Walking Tour lets
visitors sample a traditional local breakfast and shop for fresh produce at a
wet market...Read more.
Located at the heart of Chinatown, the CVC has roped in businesses and
community residents to conduct activities in a hope to promote the area.
The centre will invite elderly artisans in vanishing trades such as clog
making, lantern making and opera singing to conduct demonstrations.
The centre is owned and run by the Chinatown Business Association, and chairman
Wong Chi Keong said that such collaborations will not only give visitors a
deeper understanding of Singapore’s history but also help promote the
businesses in the area.
Decorated with wooden crates, raw bricks and vintage black and white
photographs, it weaves together architectural elements from the 1970s.
At the retail section, visitors can purchase souvenirs and local merchandise.
Other merchandise include tote bags, notebooks, tea leaves and wrapping paper.
Tea leaves for sale.
Special souvenir plush toys of a towkay and samsui woman hand-made by senior
citizens of Kreta Ayer Community Centre are on sale at the Chinatown Visitor
Centre. For each toy sold, the senior citizen who made it receives $5.
